[Harvster]

What are folks opinions on using 2 3/4" vs 3" shells for home/self defense? For example in 2 3/4" 12 gauge 00 buck there are 9 sometimes 12pellets vs 15 in 3". Is that difference important or is less recoil more of a concern?

[Coronach]

There will be practically no difference in terminal performance at HD ranges, but the 2 3/4 rounds will allow you to get back on target faster and have faster follow-up shots. So, with the 3"ers you're getting appreciably more recoil for a minimal return in performance.

Once the range opens up the number of pellets matters more (you can keep an acceptable pattern density for greater range with the 3" shells), but that's mostly an issue for hunting, especially in hunting birds. If you're in a defensive situation at those ranges (which is really unlikely, short of TEOTWAWKI), you should probably be using a rifle anyway.

All of the ammo we use for our cruiser shotguns is 2 3/4.

Mike

[sm]

2 3/4"

-Patterning the shotgun at yardages will determine which load is best for one's gun.

-Reliable feeding and extraction has to happen for a shotgun (any firearm)to be an effective tool with loads it patterns best with.

It does not matter how long the shell is, or how many pellets, if the gun does not run.

-Quick effective hits with loads that feed and extract, and pattern well, are better achieved with less felt recoil.

Meaning shot recovery times are better.

-Ammo compatibility.
Logistics if you will.

2 3/4" shells will work in a shotgun with 2 3/4", 3", and 3 1/2" chambers.

If one only has a 2 3/4" chamber, and is tossed a longer shell, it will not work in that gun.

It would really be bad to have 3" shells, and an emergency happens, such as tornado, hurricane - any disaster, and the gun someone hands you to use, only takes 2 3/4" shells.

I am serious, folks have older guns, and folks still buy a great gun like Win 1200 for instance, it only takes 2 3/4" shells.

Keep it simple and break it down to the less is more game plan.

Same reason for having a spare box of plain vanilla , standard pressure.38spl LRN in case of emergency.
These will work in a old snub nose, more modern one, 4" gun and even in a .357 .

[Dave McCracken]

2 3/4"....

[nathan]

I shot 3 in and notice a slight ounce of recoil but not much. Im not recoil sensitive bec i shoot M 44 carbines quite often and it kicks more. I do like the idea 3 in carries more pellets. IN SD its makes no difference as adrenaline comes to play.

[Fred Fuller]

All we use here for HD are 2 3/4" loads- both buckshot and slugs. Enough is enough, except for those folks for whom too much is not enough.

lpl/nc

[Coronach]

If one only has a 2 3/4" chamber, and is tossed a longer shell, it will not work in that gun.

It would really be bad to have 3" shells, and an emergency happens, such as tornado, hurricane - any disaster, and the gun someone hands you to use, only takes 2 3/4" shells.IN AN EMERGENCY, 3" shells will work in a 2 3/4" pump shotgun. Ejection is hit or miss unless you shuck it really good. Be enthusiastic, which should not be a problem since someone is trying to kill you. ;)

No, it is not ideal. No, it is not safe. However, in a pinch, it will work. I agree that 2 3/4" is adequate for SD/HD, and the logistics of keeping defensive loads that work in all guns, regardless of chamber size, is sound.

Mike

[Harvster]

Out of 5 responders I got 3 moderators and SM(glad you're back). I'm humbled and consider my question answered. 2 3/4 it is.

[1911 guy]

Do some reading on what guides up north stoke in their pump guns. When in bear territory it's invariable a rifle or 12guage with 2 3/4" slugs. The reliability factor alone makes it the top choice.

[rcmodel]

And the older 2 3/4" Wingmaster 870's had a shorter "faster" pump stroke!

No point in pumping that extra length for the long-action if you don't need it.

http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j219/rcmodel/KTOG/1224.gif
rcmodel

[sm]

Coronach wrote :
IN AN EMERGENCY, 3" shells will work in a 2 3/4" pump shotgun. Ejection is hit or miss unless you shuck it really good. Be enthusiastic, which should not be a problem since someone is trying to kill you.

This boys and girls fall in the correct and proper use of the terms :

The Serious Has Hit the Fan.
Rack it like you mean it!

This is not the time to treat a shotgun like a goldfish bowl with your pet goldfish in it...

Nope...
Not at all...

[KBintheSLC]

2 3/4" is all you need for human targets in a HD situation. 3" magnums are more for hunting large game... for example, 3" slugs for hunting beasts that weigh more than 600lbs.
I doubt a human will be able to tell the difference between the two, so I use 2 3/4" 00 buck for home defense to reduce recoil.

[Robert Hairless]

2 3/4" Federal Premium Law Enforcement #00 Buck (LE127 00) or 2 3/4" Rifled Slugs (LE127 RS).

The boxes say "TACTICAL" in big letters. I'm cool.

[bpisler]

I like 2 3/4 managed recoil 12 gauge
00 buck for home defense.Less muzzle
blast/recoil mean quicker follow up
shots.With a limbsaver recoil pad
on my mossberg felt recoil is quite
low.I can put 5 rounds of 2 3/4"
instead of 4 3" rounds in my shotgun

[EHCRain10]

bpisler made a good point about possibly being able to have one more round in the gun to begin with when using 2 3/4" shells

[UnTainted]

I load 2 3/4" loads because my wife is very fammiliar with a shotgun and prefers the controlability we both enjoy with the 2 3/4"

Maybe I'll get some 3" loads when I get a second shotgun and a knoxx recoil stock.

Currently, i have it loaded 4 rounds of 00 buck, and 2 rounds of #4 buck.

[gp911]

I only use 3.5" in the 10 bore BPS... :D

Okay, for serious use I don't want that one to be my first line of defense, as I'd like to fire more than once before I'm deaf, blind, and unable to move my shoulder after a bad gun mount...

My 12ga. defense load is currently 2.75", #4 buck because that was what was on the shelf at the store. I'm headed out in a couple weeks for a marathon patterning session, and we'll go from there. (I know Steve, I've put it off waaay too long, but the new baby takes all my free time currently...) The gun nearest the bed at the moment is a .45, with the 12 and 10 on standby.

Given the choice, 2-3/4" would be my druthers since it is plenty lethal and easier on recoil. I like the ballistics on the new reduced recoil slugs, but I have yet to find them locally. I may need to order some of those anyway...

gp911

[JShirley]

I prefer reduced recoil slugs for both SD and deer (I use shotgun while still hunting in cover), so 2 3/4 works just fine...

[pete f]

Last time I was at wally world, they had boxes of 20 of buckshot in the WW superx line. Never seen it before, but it was CHEAP and I bought a bunch. CHeap like under 5 dollars a box, I bought them out.

[Striker]

For me, 3" loads are option only when 2 3/4" loads are not available.

[Defensory]

Use 2 3/4 shells exclusively for home/self-defense.

Less recoil plus less barrel rise equals faster follow-up shots. Which is very important in case you miss with your first shot, or are facing multiple assailants.

[riverdog]

I don't own any 3" shells, I have no need for the extra recoil and all the PD rounds I've found were 2 3/4". I can't recall ever shooting 3" through my WM magnum.